Walton falls below state average in alcohol compliance test

Last weekend the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco performed a three-day statewide compliance test for vendors who sell alcoholic energy drinks.
The test, which was coordinated by undercover officers from the DABT, targeted businesses that sell these drinks to minors by trying to get store clerks to sell to a minor who works with the organization.
Out of 932 vendors approached, 173 (19 percent) sold a beverage to DABT minor. The state average compliance rate is typically 90 percent.
In Walton County, 29 businesses were approached and seven of them (24 percent) sold the beverages to a DABT minor. Four of the businesses were in DeFuniak Springs, one in Freeport and three were in South Walton.
 “Some of them obviously know what they are doing and some just make a mistake,” said District 1 DABT Lieutenant Tony Cornman.
Riding the wave of the popular mixture of liquor and energy drinks (such as Red Bull and vodka) at bars and nightclubs, alcohol companies began manufacturing alcoholic energy drinks several years ago. According to Cornman distinguishing between non-alcoholic energy drinks and those containing alcohol can be difficult. And often the alcoholic energy drinks contain a significant amount more alcohol than beer and other malt liquors.
“Some of them have as much as nine percent alcohol and come as big as 23.5 ounces,” he said.
The DABT initiated the three-day compliance checks after complaints across the state were made regarding the selling of the drinks to minors.
At approximately 5:30 p.m. on April 18, Cornman and special agents Mike Eller and Ronald Lee, as well as a local 18-year-old girl (who tried to make the alcohol purchases), began making stops at gas stations and convenience stores in South Walton.
When they were finished they had given citations to three different stores, including the Circle K store in Miramar Beach, where a manager made the sale.
“She didn’t know it had alcohol in it, but yet she still checked the girl’s I.D.,” said Cornman.
The woman declined comment on the matter, but will be required to appear in court next month for a second-degree misdemeanor charge. The maximum sentence for the offense is 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.
The Tom Thumb near the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort and the Smart Serve Shell Station across from Silver Sands Outlet stores were the other two cited in South Walton.
Cited businesses receive a warning for their violation, but can temporarily lose their alcohol license if caught three times selling to a minor in an 84-day period or if the owner of a store directly makes an illegal sale.
 “Because alcohol is a drug, the stores that sell it to minors are basically selling them an illegal drug,” said Cornman. “It obviously is a problem that causes alcohol-related accidents.
“It’s just one of those things we try to stay on top of.”